PASADENA (CNS) - A fire caused by careless smoking broke out yesterday
at a Pasadena apartment complex, killing a 70-year-old woman and her cat and
causing $175,000 in damage, authorities said.
The fire broke out at a two-story apartment complex in the 300 block of
West California Boulevard around 2 a.m. and was extinguished 10 minutes later
by about 30 firefighters, said Lisa Derderian of the Pasadena Fire Department.
According to an investigator's preliminary finding, Susan Eaton Adams
fell asleep on a couch while smoking and the apartment was not equipped with
smoke detectors, Derderian said.
Firefighters arrived at the scene five minutes after getting the call,
found Adams in full cardiac arrest and could not revive her, she said.
``The fire was contained to the room and (its) contents, so it was
quickly extinguished upon arrival," Derderian said.
Adams was alone in the apartment with her cat, which firefighters
resuscitated using special equipment designed for pets. However, the animal
later died, she said.
There were smoke detectors in the hallway, which alerted other residents
to the fire.
The fire caused about $175,000 in damage to the structure and the
contents of the stricken apartment, Derderian said.